Automatic machines for making brushes



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5'35 511 INVENTOR. 29 ll 7- #foco/a6 MAPA/s A45 Sept. 8, 1959 T. MARKS AUTOMATIC MACHINS FOR MAKING BRUSHES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 3. 1956 United VStates Patent 2,903,299 y AUTOMATIC MACHINES Fok MAKING BRUSHES Theodore Marks, Hartsdale, N.Y. Application February 3, 1956, Serial No. 563,230

' sz claims.- (cl. soo-4 2)y i This invention relates generally to automatic machines for making brushes, and more particularly to a fully automatic machine for making brushes of the cylindrical type having tufts of bristles which are held rmlyrand in spaced relationship by intertwisted strands of core wire.

A machine of this type is described in my copending application for Letters Patent of theUnited States, filed April 20, 1951 under Serial No. 222,007 (now Patent No.

2,903,299 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 ICC 'ati'on 'ofthe picker at selected times while the pinwheel keeps' on rotating.

The present invention, therefore, provides an improved machine which automatically performs a sequence of operations which will now be briefly described as a preliminary to the more detailed description which will be given herein by specific lreference to the various gures in the drawing.

Two freely rotating supply reels lfurnish core wires for the machine. One wire, hereinafter called the base wire, is pulled horizontally through a series of tension producing pulleys. Bn'stles are transversely deposited over the base wire in preselected arrangement and are firmly held in place by a second wire, hereinafter called the overlying wire. The overlying wire is pulled through another series of tension producing pulleys and guided coextensively to lie over the base wire and hold iirmly in place whatever bristles have been deposited on the base wire.

Special means are provided for the continuous horizontal passage of the two core wires. The means include a movable vise and a movable chuck which, acting in' alternation, grip and pull the wires. The vise is mounted on a horizontal reciprocable carriage, hereinafter called the vise canriage; the Ichuck is rotatably mounted on a second horizontal reciprocable carriage,hereinafter called the chuck carriage. At preselected intervals, the

rotatable chuck intertwists the core wires about the the other core wire which is positioned closely to overlie i cylindrical brush has been severed. Pulling action is l' started again by the chuck, and the-entire process is repeated. During the interval in which the chuck is rotating on its shaft and intertwisting the core wires to form the cylindrical brush, the core wires are not being pulled from the supply reels. scribed in my copending application, the core wires are not being pulled while the chuck returns to grip the protruding ends of the core wires. Such halt in the pulling of the wires represents wasted time.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic machine 'for making brushes of the cylindrical type, having tufts of bristles which are held firmly and in properly spaced relationship by intertwisted strands of core wire, and which accomplishes the manufacture of the said brushes continuously and without halting the continuous horizontal passage of the core wires during the interval in which the chuck is spinning and intertwisting the core wires, and while the chuck is returning to again grip the cut wires. t

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved machine of the type described, and wherein the cylindrical brushes are made in preselected lengths.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved machine of the type described, and wherein each cylindrical brush having intertwisted wires as its core is made with at least one preselected portion of its length carrying bristles, and at least one preselected portion of its length of bare core wires. This is accomplished by improved means in the present machine-'for halting the oper- Also in the machine dei bristles forming the cylindrical brush.

Also mounted on the vise carriage is a pair of cutting blades to cut the brushes to preselected lengths, and a holding guide fork which, during the interval within which the chuck rotates and intertwists the preselected length of core wires, holds the remaining length of superimposed core wires in such a manner as to prevent their intertwisting.

The continuous passage of, and brush forming action org-the core wires may therefore be Idescribed as follows:

(a) Assuming that a cylindrical brush has just been cut from the core wires and permitted to drop into a receptacle, the vise, riding with the reciprocal vise carriage, continues its grip and horizontal pull -to the right, as shown in the drawings, on the untwisted core wires. The reciprocal chuck carriage moves rapidly to the left toward the vise carriage, and the chuck seizes the severed ends of the core wires protruding from the vise jaws. In sequence thereupon two actions take place.

(l) The chuck riding on the chuck carriage exerts a rightward'horizontal pulling action on the core wires at lower speed without any twisting action.

(2) The vise releases its hold on the core wires, sinks a short distance to avoid contacting any bristles on the untwisted core wires, and riding on the vise carriage, starts to move rapidly to the left at greater speed toward a preselected point.

(b) When the vise carriage reaches the preselected point it remains ythere while the chuck pulls the wires to the right to draw a preselected length of wires. Thereafter:

('1) The vise jaws rise and seize the core (2) The vise, riding with the vise carriage begins its horizontal pull -to the right at lower speed on the core wires;

(c) At this point the vise and the chuck are gripping the core wires and move at lower speed to the right with a preselected length of bristle-fed core wire between them.

At the beginning of this period:

(1) The holding guide fork on the vise carriage comes down over the core Wires and holds the wires firmly in overlying position against twisting at that point. The chuckis now rotating, intertwisting the core wires between the chuck and the fork. Chuck and vise continue unintenruptedly on their horizontal pull to the right at lower speed (their respective carriages being held at substantially uniform distance apart by a piston 'and air cylinder.

(2) As the chuck rotates and intertwists the core wires, the distance between the chuck and the vise diminishes slightly, compressing the air within the air cylinder somewhat.

(d) After the brush is twisted properly as determined by a turn counter or amount of shortening of wires by twisting, five actions take place in sequence.

(1) The twisting action of the chuck ceases.

(2) Tlhe cutting blades on the vise carriage sever the core wires between the fork and the vise, leaving short ends of core wires protruding to the right of the vise.

(3) The jaws of the chuck open and frelease the ends of the now formed brush.

(4) The eXtra pressure in the air cylinder pushes the chuck carriage slightly to the right.

(5) The brush drops into a receptacle.

At this point the automatic process, as described hereinbefore, begins again and the brush forming operation continues without interruption of the continuous horizontal passage of the core wires.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and form a part of this specication, and in which identical elements are assigned identical reference numerals:

Fig. 1 is a frontal elevation of an automatic machine, according to the invention, for making brushes;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken along line 3 3 of Fig. l, and showing the structural and operational features of the vise carriage and of the vise, with blades and holding guide fork mounted thereupon;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a part of the machine taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and showing particularly the physical relationship of the vise, cutter blades, and holding guide fork;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of part of the machine taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and showing certain structural elements which cooperate in the functioning of the cutter;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of part of the machine with other elements removed to show more clearly the physical structure of the vise;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevational of the machine, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 1, and showing the structure and operational features of the chuck and the chuck carriage;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a part of the machine, taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 7 to show the structural elements of the machine which cooperate in the operation of the chuck;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of part of the machine taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1() is in part a sectional view of part of the machine taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 2 and showing the means for applying rotational torque to the chuck shaft, and in part a diagrammatic representation of the mechanical and electrical elements which control the operation of the said means;

Fig. 11 is an elevational View of part of the bristle picker shaft of the machine according to the invention, with other parts removed to show more clearly the operation of a clutch for the said shaft;

Fig. l2 is a sectional view of part of the bristle picker shaft taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a cylindrical brush with a core of twisted wires, according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is in part an elevational view of the motor shaft for rotating the chuck with other elements removed to show more clearly the operation of a clutch and brake for the said shaft, and in part a sectional view of the structural elements which cooperate in the control of said clutch and brake.

Referring now to the drawings, the structure and operation of a preferred embodiment of the automatic machine for making brushes, preferably of the cylindrical type, according to the invention, will be described.

The continuous passage of the core wires through the machine, the deposit of tufts of bristles upon the base wire 33, and the holding in place of the bristles by the overlying wire 23, will now be described in overall, particular reference being made to Figs. 1, 2, 11 and l2.

Freely rrotatable supply reels 21 and 31 carry rolls of wire for the overlying and base strands, respectively, of core wires for the cylindrical brushes. The vise 35 (Figs. 3 and 6) riding on its vise carriage 37, grips the core wires and pulls them substantially horizontally from the supply reels at a constant normal speed and in a direction which, in accordance with the drawings, shall be hereinafter designated as to the right. Acting in coordination with the vise is the chuck 39 (Figs. l, 7 and 8),

which grips the ends of the two core wires protruding from the jaws of the vise and riding on its chuck carriage 41 pulls the core wires to the right at constant normal speed. As soon as the chuck grips the ends of the core wires, the vise releases its grip on the wires, drops ashort distance, and, riding on its vise carriage, moves at increased speed to the left to a preselected point where it remains open, until the chuck pulls a selected length of wire. The vise then rises and again seizes the core wires and pulls them to the right at constant normal speed. At this stage both the chuck and the vise are gripping the wires and pulling them to the right at constant normal speed with a preselected length of coextensive core wires between them. Already transversely deposited on preselected portions of the base wire and firmly held in place by the overlying wire, in a manner hereinafter to be described, are tufts of bristles 55. Then the fork grips the wire at the vise carriage to keep the wire from twisting near the vise and to allow for projecting untwisted wire ends which can be gripped by the chuck. During thetime interval while both the chuck and the vise grip the core wires and pull them to the right, the chuck twists the core wires about the bristles to form to a cylindrical brush allowing the distance between the chuck and the vise to shorten during the twisting operation.

A cutter 480 (Fig. 3) which rides on the vise carriage 37 slightly to the right of the vise, then severs the brush .from the core wires. The chuck releases the core wires and moves quickly slightly to the right and the formed brush drops into a receptacle not shown. Meanwhile, the vise uninterruptedly continues its rightward pull on the core wires. The chuck, riding on its carriage, moves rapidly to the left at increased speed till it meets the rightward moving ends of the core wires severed from the brush and protruding from the vise. The chuck then seizes the protruding ends of the core wires and pulls them to the right at constant speed.

Thus as the cycle keeps repeating itself the core wires move to the right, continuously and uninterruptedly, at constant normal speed while various operations, hereinafter to be more fully described, are performed to form cylindricalbrushes automatically and with great economy in time.

Tension maintained upon the base wire 33 by the action of the suitably journalled lower pulleys 43, 45 and 47 against the pull of the vise and the chuck. Tension is maintained upon the overlying wire Z3 by the action of suitably journalled upper pulleys 49, 51, 53 and 6i) 'andthe pinwheel 57 against the pull of the vise and the chuck.

Tufts of bristles 5S are deposited transversely upon the base wire by the action of the horizontally paired pins 59 on pinwheel 57. The bristles lying along the base wire 33` are firmly held in place by the overlying wire 23 which is maintained in proper position for accomplishing this purpose by the pulley 60. The pulley ,60 presses down upon the overlying wire after the latter has .passed aroma 'the llower Side of the pinwheel. The pinwheel itself is made up of two disk-like` halves 61 and 63 separated by a groove 62 Within which the overlying wire passes. Circumferentially upon the rims of the disks are radially aflixed the paired p-ins 59. The oscillating bristle picker 65 extends into the groove 62 between the two disks 61 and 63 of the .pinwheel to such an extent that bristles may be deposited upon a pair f pins by ythe action of the bristle picking slot 67 in the bristle picker 65. Thus the bristle picking slot 67, as it oscillates to and fro, picks bristles from the bristle magazine 69V and deposits them on a pair of pins. The size of the slot determines the number of bristles deposited in a tuft upon a pair of pins. The bristles in the bristle magazine are constantly pushed forward by the bristle pusher 71 which may be spring loaded or gravitationally urged.

Bristle guide 73 aids the bristle picker 65 in depositing tufts of bristles upon the pinwheel by guiding the bristles toward the pinwheel and preventing lthe bristles from falling before they reach the pinwheel. The pins are so :angled and curved that they retain the bristles in position uponthe base Wire until the overlying wire contacts them and holds them securely in place.

The pinwheel 57 rotates counterclockwise slowly depositing tufts of bristles transversely upon the base wire .in such a manner that the base wire supports the bristles :at approximately their midsections. Means for rotating lthe pinwheel continuously are described hereinafter.

The oscillating bristle picker 65, during preselected intervals, rotates rst in one direction, then in the other. The slot 67 picks up bristles 55 from the magazine 69 during the clockwise rotationof the bristle picker and deposits the bristles upon horizontal pairs of pins on the pinwheel during the counterclockwise rotation. So long as the bristle picker continues to oscillate, bristles are deposited on the pinwheel and thence upon the base wire. During the interval when `the bristle picker is made to cease its oscillation, no bristles are deposited on the pinwheel. This'determine-s a length of core wire upon which no bristles `are deposited.

Whenever it is desired to stop the oscillating action of the rack 75 the freely rotating slidably mounted sleeve clutch 83 is operated. The clutch 83 is rotatably and slidably mounted on a suitably journalled shaft 85 and is itself journalled on bearing 87. In normal operation the xed collar 89 which is fixed to the shaft 85 by the key 90 rotates with clutch sleeve 83. The shaft 85 is driven by sprocket wheel 91 xedly mounted on the said shaft. The sprocket wheel 91 is driven by the chain 92. The motive power for the chain 92 will be described hereinafter.

The action of the clutch 83 will now be described, with particular reference to Fig. 1l. The clutch 83 is formed with an annular groove 101 providing portions 97 and 99 on opposite sides of the groove. Groove .101 has a wide portion forming a cam 107er, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. The spring pressed pin 103 urges the clutch 83 into clutching engagement with the collar S9 through the action of its tooth or stud 107 which fits into the slot 109 of the collar 89 which is fixed to the shaft 85. When it is desired to prevent oscillating action, air cylinder 301 operates pushing lthe finger 105 into the cam cut groove 101.. When the linger 105 strikes the cam shoulder '7a, the clutch 83 is moved to the right, separating it from the fixed splined collar 89. Since the clutch is slidably and freely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 85, its separation fromthe collar 89 stops `its rotation. This in turn stops the rotation of the crank anm 79 which results in the stoppage of action of the rack 75 and the oscillating bristle picker 65. At this point no further bristles are deposited on the core wires. Re-engagement of the clutch renews the oscillating action of the rack and the bristle picker. Re-engagement isfcausedgwhen `air cylinder 301 lifts finger 105 6 topermit' spring 103 to push clutch member 83to the left (Fig. 1l) so ...that tooth 107 again enters slot 109 in collar 87.

Motive power (see Figs. 1 and 2) for the automatic machine for making brushes is supplied by the main electric motor 121 which is mounted on the base 123, which preferably rests on the floor. The motor shaft 125 is driven by the electric motor 121. Fixedly mounted upon the motor shaft 125 is the driving belt wheel 127. Belted to the driving belt wheel` by the belt 131 is the driven belt wheel 129, which is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 135. Splined on said shaft 13S is a clutch collar 181 controlled by air cylinder 303 and adapted to be moved into and out of clutching engagement with the hub 129a of belt wheel 129 by said air cylinder through a p-ivoted forked arm 179 pivoted at 180 and having a fork engaging in a groove in said clutch collar. Also flxedly mounted upon the shaft 135 is the driving bevel gear 137 which drives the driven bevel gear 139. The sprocket wheel 141 is also xedly mounted on the shaft 135 and through the chain 92 drives ythe sprocket wheel 91 which is xedly mounted to the shaft 85 by the collar 143.

The driving bevel gear 145 which is xedly mounted to the shaft 85 by the collar 146 drives the driven bevel gear 147 whichis xedly mounted to the shaft 149 by the collar 148. The worm gear 151 is xedly mounted to the shaft 149 and drives the worm driven gear 153 which is iixedly mounted to the shaft 157 by the collar 155. The pinwheel 57 which rotates continuously is also fixedly mounted to the shaft 157 by the pinwheel collar 159.

The bevel gear 139 is tixedly mounted on the shaft 161 which drives the Worm gear 163 which in turn drives the worm driven gear 165 xedly mounted to the shaft 167 by the collar 169. `Also fxedly mounted on the shaft 167 by the collar 173 is the sprocket Wheel 171. The sprocket wheel 171 drives the chain 175.

In order `to stop the operation of the machine Without at the same time stopping the rotation of the main motor 121, air cylinder 303 is operated to declutch shaft 135 from the wheel 129. Engagement of the clutch 181 operates the machine, disengagement halts the operation of the machine with the main motor continuing its functioning nevertheless. The main motor may be turned off by a switch, not shown.

In describing the reciprocating action of the vise carriage and the chuck carriage, reference will be made to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 7.

Clockwise rotation of the sprocket wheel 171 drives the chain 175 so that its upper portion moves to the right and the lower portion moves to the left. The right side of the chain is supported by the freely rotatable sprocket wheel 172 which is mounted on the shaft 170 by the collar 174.

The sprocket wheel 185, which engages with the upper portion of the chain 175, is mounted on the shaft 186 for rotation therewith, by the collar 188. The shaft 186 is journalled into the vise carriage 37.

Clutch collar 189 is slidably mounted on shaft 186 by means of key 195 and rotates with the shaft. Fixed to the vise carriage and surrounding the shaft -186 is a serrated collar 207 having teeth 193 adapted to be engaged by teeth 198 on clutch member 189 for locking shaft 186 against rotation, and hence locking sprocket 18S to chain 175 whereby to cause the chain to move the vise carriage. When the clutch device 189 is locked, the sprocket wheel is prevented from rotating. When the clutch device 189 is disengaged, the sprocket wheel 185 rotates freely.

The sprocket wheel 187, which engages with the lower portion of the chain 175, is mounted on the shaft 215 by the collar 184 and is splined to the shaft for rotation therewith by the keying element 229. Rotation of the sprocket wheel 187, therefore, rotates the shaft 215. vSlidably mounted on shaft .215 by means of key 228 is a'clutch collar or member 2111 formed with clutch teeth 226. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 215, which is journalled into the vise carriage, is the gear wheel 213 which has a larger diameter than the sprocket wheel 187. Gear wheel 213 has a clutch collar 217 formed with teeth 219. The gear wheel 213 meshes with the fixed rack 218 through the slot 200 in the vise carriage. Leftward motion of the lower portion of the chain drives the sprocket wheel 187 counterclockwise and rotates the shaft 215. The motion of the chain is continuous at a normal speed just so long as `the clutch 181 for the main motor 121 is engaged. Therefore the rotation of the sprocket wheel 187 is continuous so long as the clutch 18\1 is engaged.

When the clutching device 211 is disengaged from teeth 219, no drive is exerted upon the gear wheel 213. When the clutch 211 is engaged therewith, the gear wheel 213 is driven counterclockwise, and since the teeth of the gear wheel mesh with the teeth of the fixed rack, the vise carriage is driven leftward with the runners -10 and 11 of the vise carriage gliding along the tracks 12 and 13, respectively.

When the clutching device 189 is locked and the clutch 211 is disengaged the vise carriage is driven to the right at the rate of travel of the chain which is herein called normal speed. When the clutching device 189 is disengaged and the clutch 211 is engaged, the vise carriage is driven to the left at a speed gerater than normal, depending on the diameter of the gear wheel 213.

Clutch 189 is controlled by the piston rod 203 of an air cylinder 395. The air cylinder may be controlled by any suitable solenoid controlled by switch means under the control of a cam on a time shaft.

Clutch 211 is controlled by piston rod 22.1 of air cylinder 307 also controlled by a suitable solenoid the operation of which is controlled by switch actuated by a cam on said time shaft.

The chuck carriage 41 has a bottom wall 41a, a front wall 41b, a rear wall 41e, and anges 14 and 15 extending from said front and rear walls, respectively, and resting on the rails 12 and 14, respectively. Thus the carriage 41 is slidably mounted on the rails '12 and ,13 of the machine frame. On the bottom wall 41a is a box 41d having side walls 41e perpendicular to walls 41h, 41e, and a front wall 41j". Journalled in wall 41j is a shaft 253 supporting the sprocket wheel 235 fixed to the shaft by key 269 meshing with the top run of chain 175.

Surrounding said shaft there is fixed to wall 4-1f a collar 267 formed with clutch teeth 265. Slidably splined to shaft 253 by key 269 is a clutch collar 245 having on its rear side, clutch teeth 263 adapted to mesh with teeth 265. Collar 245 is formed with an annular groove 257 in which is received a fork 249 having a stem 27.1 attached to a piston rod 273 controlled by an air cylinder 311. The air cylinder 311 is also controlled by a usual solenoid controlled by switches actuated by a cam on a time shaft (not shown).

When the piston 273 moves to the left to the position shown in Fig. 7, the shaft 253 is free to rotate. When the piston rod 273 is moved to the right, clutch collar 245 moves to the right to engage teeth 265 to lock the shaft and hence the sprocket wheel 235 so that movement of the chain 75 will pull the chuck vise 41 therewith.

On front wall 41T and wall 41b is journalled a shaft 275 to which is fixed by key 238, a sprocket wheel 237, meshing with the lower mn of chain 175. Fixed on the shaft is a gear 239 meshing with the xed rack 218. On the hub 299 of gear 239 are teeth 297. Slidably splined to shaft 275 by said key 283 is a clutch collar 247 formed with an annular groove 289. Collar 247 is formed with teeth 295 adapted to engage teeth 297 of gear hub 299.

Received in groove 289 is a fork 291 connected to a piston rod 293 of an air cylinder 313. Said air cylnder is under control of a usual solenoid controlled 8 'by a switch actuated -by a cam on the time shaft (not shown). When piston rod 293 moves to the left, shaft 275 is clutched to the gear 239. When piston rod 293 is moved to the right, shaft 275 is declutched from the gear 239.

The structure, in detail, and the operation of the vise cutting, and holding guide fork assemblies, all of which are mounted on the vise carriage, will now be given, particular reference being made to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The rear elevation of the vise assembly 35 is shown in Fig. 6, with the movable jaw 409 of the vise clamping the core wires 23 and 33 against the fixed jaw 406 of the vise. The fixed jaw 406 of the vise is integral with the vertically slidable plate 405. Upward motion of the slidable plate 405 brings the vise into the proper elevation to operate on the core wires and closes the vise. Downward motion of the slidable plate 405 opens the vise and lowers it to a position wherein it is out of the way of the moving core wires which may be carrying bristles. The ns 413, at the left and right sides of the slidable plate 405 and integral with it, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, ride in and are guided by the grooves 415 in the structure of the vise carriage 37, thus guiding the vertical motion of the slidable plate.

Downward motion of the slidable plate is accomplished by the action of the air cylinder 317 which when activated, urges the piston rod 447 upward. The arm 443 of the bell crank 439, being slot pivoted to the piston rod 447 by the pivot 445 which is affixed to the piston 447 but rides in the slot 441, is driven upward by the piston rod 447. This drives the arm 435 of the bell crank 439 downward with a counterclockwise rotation, as may be seen from Fig. 6, since the bell crank swings around the pivot 437 which is fixed to the vise carriage. The pivot pin 429 is xed to the arm 426 of the bell crank 428 but slides within the slot 431 in bell crank arm 435. Thus the downward motion of the arm 435 as it swings counterclockwise around the pivot,

437 imparts a downward motion to the arm 426 and impells it to swing clockwise around the pivot 421. The -pivot 421 is fixed to the bell crank 428 but is freely rotatable within the link 425. The pivot 423 is fixed to the slidable plate 405 but permits rotation of the link 425. Thus the downward motion of the arm 426 causes a counterclockwise swing of the link 425 around the pivot 423 permitting the arm 427 of the bell crank 428 to swing clockwise around the pivot 421. Fixed to the arm 427 is the pivot 419 which rotates freely within the lever 411. Clockwise rotation of the arm 427 around the pivot 421 (together with the counterclockwise rotation of the link 425 around the pivot 423) impells the lever 411 to rotate counterclockwise around the pivot 417 which is fixed to the slidable plate 405. Integral with the lever 411 but extending rearwardly (as shown in Fig. 6) from the main body of the block is the movable vise jaw 409. The movable vise jaw is fashioned to oppose the fixed jaw 406. Counterclockwise rotation of the lever 411 opens the vise by moving the jaw 409 away from the fixed jaw. The foregoing analysis of the opening of the vise jaw has been given step by step for purposes of analysis. In actuality the action takes place simultaneously. The upward motion of the piston rod 447 under impulse from the air cylinder 317 thus opens the jaws of the vise.

As the piston rod continues upward, the -bell crank arm 435 continues downward, pulling the bell crank 428 downward resulting in a downward motion of the slidable plate 405 which carries both jaws of the vise. This removes the vise from the path of the core wires and takes place after the chuck has gripped the ends of the core wires and has begun to exert a pull on the core wires.

In order to elevate the vise back into position and to close the jaws of the vise the air cylinder is deactivated. This permits the spring 401 which is set in the vise carriage 37 to drive the rod 403 upward against the contact area 407 -at the lower end of the slid-able plate 405. The slidable plate is driven upward. The jaws of the vise close in a manner `which is reverse of the Way in which the jaws open as has just beengdescribed. This action takes place as soon as the chuck has pulled out 'a preselected length of core wiresas determined by the desired length of the cylindrical brush.

The guide fork assembly is so mounted on the vise carriage that the two heavy prongs 469 and 471 of the guide fork straddle the core wires 23 and 33 and hold them firmly in superimposed position during the interval when the chuck is twisting the core Wires around the bristles to form a brush. The fork is elevated out of the way of the moving core wires during the interval when the chuck is pulling the core Wires.

Elevation of the guide fork away from the core wires is .accomplished by the action of the tension spring 461 which is aixed at one end to the post 457 mounted on the vise carriage and at the other end to the guide fork lever arm 455. Tension of the spring 461 rotates the lever arm clockwise around the pivot 459 and raises the guide fork 467.

The guide fork is lowered by the laction of the air cylinder 319 which is mounted on the vise carriage by mounting blocks 322 and 324. The inlet hose 318 feeds compressed air into the air cylinder from a central tank, not shown, and drives the piston 451 downward pulling down the arm 456 to which the piston is ailixed. The linking element 453 is aflixed to the arm 456 and pivoted to the guide fork lever arm 455. Thus, when the piston 451 is driven downward by the action of the air cylinder the guide fork 467 is .lowered into position with the prongs 469 and 471 straddling the core wires. The prongs are set in the block 473 which is adjustably rmounted on the lever arm 455. The extent of the downward sweep of the guide fork lever arm is controlled by the position of the adjustment screw 463 which is set in the 'block 465 mounted on the vise carriage. Proper adjustment of the block 473 within the arm 455 and of the adjustment screw 463 within the block 465 permits the guide fork to be securely seated over the core wires.

The action of the air cylinder overcomes the tension of the spring 461 and holds the guide fork in place. As the compressed air within the cylinder 319 is allowed to escape the guide fork is elevated by tension from the spring 461.

The cutter assembly 480 is so mounted on the vise carriage as to locate the cutting blades 481 and 483 between the vise and the guide fork. The guide fork holds the core wires evenly in superimposed position so that the cutting blades can function easily and smoothly at their instant of operation. The spacing between the vise and the cutting blades is such that short ends of core wire are left protruding from the vise after the wires have been cut. This arrangement permits the chuck easily to seize the protruding ends of the core wires in a manner hereinafter described.

Cutting blades 481 and 483 are axed to blocks 485 and 487, respectively, by the bolts 482 and 484. Block 487 is afxed to the cutter slide plate 493 by the bolts 489 and 491. Cutter block 485 is pivoted to the cutter slide plate 493 swingably around the pivot 501. The cutter slide plate carrying the xed and swingable cutter blocks slides between the flanged guide blocks 495 and 497 which are bolted to a fixed plate 512 of the vise carriage 37 by the bolts 507, 508, 509 and 510. The flanges 503 and 505, on guide blocks 495 and 497, respectively, guide and retain the cutter slide.

The cutter blades are elevated into position facing the core wires and operated by the action of the air cylinder 315 which, when activated for cutting, pushes the piston rod 513vupward. Piston, rod 513` is externally threaded at its upper end szz soY that it may se fitted inte an internally threaded aperture in cam block 515. The nut 523 holds the piston 513 in adjusted relationship to the cam block 515. Upward motion of the cam block 515 under impulsion from the piston rod 513 is guided by the xed plate 512 and guide block 517 which is mounted on the xed plate 512 by the bolts 519 and 521. Upward motion of the cam block forces the cam follower 527 upward.

The cam follower 527 is securely bolted to the cutter' block 485 and to the cam follower guide pin 531 by the= bolt 529. The guide pin 531 slides Valong the right hand.

edge of the guide block 535 which is bolted to the fixedV plate 512 by the bolts 537 and 538.

As the cam block 515 moves upward, the cam follower 527 is forced upward. This forces the cutter block 485 and also thelcutter slide 493 carrying the cutter block 487 upward. The guide pin 531 reaches the curved suI- face 535a at approximately the same time that the curved surface of the cam follower contacts the oblique surface 538a of the cam block 515. This results in a leftward motion of the lower end of the cutter block 485 turning the cutter block 485 clockwise around the pivot 501 while the slide 493 and the cutter blocks 485 and 487 continue their upward motion. The cutter blades 481 and 483 meet at the core wires, severing them. The curved upper right corner 535a of block 535 serves to rotate lever 485 in a counter clockwise direction when plate 493 moves down.

After the cutter has performed its cutting function, the blades are separated gravitationally, and the cutter device is lowered back to its original position by the action of the air cylinder 315.

The structure in detail, and the operation of the chuck assembly mounted on the chuck carriage, will now be given with particular reference being made to Figs. l, 2, 7, 8 and 9.

Y The chuck assembly 550 is mounted on the rotatable shaft 561 which rides in the chuck shaft bearing blocks 563 and 565. Bolts 571 and 573 tix the chuck shaft bearings to chuck shaft blocks 567 and 569.

The movable chuck jaws 577 are swingable around the chuck jaw pivots 579 and 581, respectively. These pivots are set in the chuck jaw housing 39.

The chuck collar 583 is keyed to the chuck shaft 561 by the splining element 585. At the extremities of the chuck collar 583 are the chuck collar anges 587 and 589. The chuck collar, flanges, and the chuck housing make up a single unit which rotates with and is slidable along the chuck shaft.

Thus, as the chuck shaft 561 is made to rotate, in a manner hereinafter to be described, the chuck housing 39 rotates with the said chuck shaft. Since the movable jaws 575 and 577 are mounted on the chuck housing, they too rotate with the chuck shaft 561. The chuck collar flanges 587 and 589 limit the left and right sliding motion. The chuck cam sleeve 591 may rotate slidingly with the chuck shaft 561 but is not forced to do so. Chuck cam sleeve ilanges 593 and 595 guide the action of the chuck cam sleeve 591 in a manner which will nowl be described.

The chuck cam sleeve yoke 599 has two prongs 603v and 605 within which respectively are set the bolts 607 and 609, carrying respectively the chuck cam sleeve guide pins 611 and 613. The guide pins 611 and 613 ride in the groove 612 between the flanges 593 and 595. Thus when the chuck carn sleeve yoke arm 601 swings partly around the pivot 615, which is fixed to the chuck carriage, the chuck cam sleeve 591 is made to move to the left or to therright. Chuck cam sleeve yoke arm 601 extends through an aperture 617 in the chuck carriage 41, and is pivoted to the chuck yoke piston 619 by the pivot 621. Therefore, leftward action of the air cylinder 321 extends the chuck yoke piston 619 to the left rotating the yoke arm 601 clockwise around the pivot 615 andv sliding the chuck cam sleeve to the right. This action permits the adjustable chuck jaw cam screws 623 and 625 to slide over the surface of the chuck cam sleeve 591 until they meet the chuck sleeve cam surface 597. As they slide over the cam surface 597, tension of the chuck jaw spring 627, which is attached to the chuck jaws by pegs 629 and 631, opens the chuck jaws. Similarly, retraction of the chuck piston 619 rotates chuck cam sleeve yoke arm 601 counterclockwise impelling the chuck cam sleeve to the left. The cam action of the surface 597 upon the adjustable chuck jaw cam screws 623 and 625 closes the chuck jaws.

What has just been described is the action of opening and closing the chuck jaws 577 and 575. Proper positioning for the seizing action of the chuck jaws upon the core wires will now be described.

In order to be sure that the chuck jaws are in the proper position to seize the core wires held in superimposed position by the vise and the fork, as hereinafter described, the positioning pins 633 and 635 are used. The pins are set into the right hand extremity of the chuck shaft 561. These positioning pins rotate with the shaft. The positioning pin guide block 637 is moved inward upon the positioning pins as the chuck is in the process of stopping rotating. This forces the pins to stop when they are in vertical relationship to each other. The chuck jaws are then in horizontal relationship to each other and are ready to grip the superimposed core wires.

The action of the guide block 637 will now be described. The lever arm 639 is swingable around the pivot 641 which is fixed into the chuck carriage. Tension from the spring 643, which is aflxed to the chuck carriage by the peg 645, and to the lever arm 649 through the aperture 647, acts to rotate lever arm 639 clockwise as shown in Fig. 7. The forward motion o-f the trip lever arm 651 swings it around the pivot 653 and rotates lever arms 649 and 639 counterclockwise around the pivot 641. During the interval within which the chuck shaft is in the process of stopping rotating, close contact of the chuck positioning pin guide block 637 with the chuck positioning pins 633 and 635 eventually forces the chuck shaft to stop rotating in a preselected position. It eventually stops rotating with the chuck positioning guide block 637 in position between the pins 633 and 635. The chuck jaws 575 and 577 are then in horizontal relationship with each other and can easily seize the vertical superimposed protruding ends Iof the core wires. The trip lever arm 651 is acted upon by the trip lever activating rod 655 which is attached to the vise carriage and is of such a length that it contacts the trip lever arm 651 when the chuck carriage approaches the vise carriage with the chuck jaws open.

The structure, in detail and the operation of the drive for the chuck shaft, will now be given, particular reference being made to Figs. 2, 1G and 14.

Motive power for rotating the chuck shaft, during the intervals when the core wires are being intertwisted about the tufts of bristles to form a brush, is supplied by the motor 657 which is mounted on brackets 658 and supported by the chuck carriage. The splined chuck shaft 659, functioning through the clutch 660 (hereinafter to be described) rotates the driving pulley 661 which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 662. Pulley 661 drives the pulley 665 liXedly mounted on the shaft 664 through the belt 663. Keyed to the shaft 664 by the key 666 is the sprocket wheel 669 which drives the sprocket wheel 673 (which is iixedly mounted on the chuck shaft 561) through the chain 671.

In order to count theV number of revolutions of the chuck shaft and thus to control the consistency of the formed cylindrical brush, a conventional counteris used. Fixedly mounted on the chuck shaft 561 is the pawl 675 which engages the counter piston 677 with each revolution of'the chuck shaft. Upon reaching a preselected count'a normally closed switch '678 in thecounter 679 opens and breaks an energizing circuit to the solenoid 681. This permits the tension spring 683 to retract the control rod 635 which is slidably supported within the fixed bushing block 687. Retraction of the control rod engages the brake mechanism 690 and disengages the* clutch 660 halting the rotation of the chuck as the motor 657 continues in operation. A switch, not shown, which controls the operation of the main motor 121 also controls the operation of the chuck motor 657.

The brake 690 is operated by the cam boss 691 on the control rod which pushes the brake rod 693 upward through the bushing block 695 when the control rod is retracted. This urges the brake shoe 697 against the' brake drum 699 stopping the rotation of the shaft 662 which halts the rotation of the chuck.

The clutch 660 operates simultaneously with the op' eration of the brake. As the control rod is retracted, the clutch control fork 701 which is pivoted to the control bar by the pivot 703 swings clockwise around the fixed pivot 705. The forked upper arms 706 of the clutch control fork 701, riding in the groove 707 around the collar 708, urges the collar to the right. The clutch plate 709 is aixed to the collar 708. Both the clutchl plate and the collar rotate with the motor shaft 659 as they are keyed to the shaft by the key 711. Sliding the rotating clutch plates 709 to the right, along the splined shaft 659, releases it from the clutch plate 713 disen- -gaging the clutch 66). The clutch plate 713 is xedly mounted on the shaft 662, by the collar 715.

A simple, conventional, electro-mechanical device is used to release the brake 690 and engage the clutch 660 by energizing the solenoid 681. The control bar 685 is pulled to the right, and partly within the solenoid 681 when the said solenoid is energized. Removal of the` cam boss 691 permits the brake rod 693 and the brake shoe 697 to drop away from the brake drum 699. This releases the brake 690. Motion of the cam bar to the right rotates the clutch control fork 701 counterclockwise around the pivot 705 engaging the clutch 660 and resulting in the rotation of the chuck.

The energizing of the solenoid is accomplished by the action of the cam 717 mounted on the control shaft 1000. As the cam rotates, it operates on the blade 719 closing the normally open switch 721 and energizing a circuit through the solenoid 681, the normally closed switch 67S in the counter 679, the holding relay 723, and a power source (not shown). The armature 725 closes and the holding relay 723 keeps the circuit closed even after the cam 717 passes the blade 719. The circuit stays closed until the normally closed switch 678 in the counter momentarily opens when the preselected count is reached. This releases the holding relay 723 and opens the armature 725.

Thus the chuck is kept to a preselected number of ro tations which are made during a preselected interval in the formation of the brush.

Since the structure and operation of the automatic machine for making brushes has been described in general ter-ms as a preliminary overview, and then in specific detail by referring to the drawings, a final summary will now be given by describing five signicant stages in its operation.

In stage 1, with the vise 35 closed gripping the core wires 23, 33 and the fork 467 down straddling the core wires to keep them evenly superimposed, the chuck 39 stops rotating and the cutter blades 481, 483 cut the core wires. The chuck jaws 577 open and the chuck then moves slightly to the right clearing the formed brush which drops into a receptacle. The vice 35, meanwhile, continues its grip on the wires While pulling them at constant velocity to the right.

In stage'2, the chuck 39 moves at increased velocity to the left closing in on the protruding ends of the cut core wires which are being carried at constant velocity to the right by the vise 35. To be out of the way of the leftward moving chuck, the cutter blades 481, 483 open and are lowered; the fork 467 is elevated. As soon as the chuck jaws seize the protruding ends of the core wires 23, 33, the chuck starts moving to the right at constant velocity.

In stage 3, the chuck 39 continues its rightward pull on the core wires 23, 33 at constant velocity and without twisting action. The vise jaws are open, the vise assembly is lowered to be out of the way of the bristles, and the vise moves leftward at increased velocity till it reaches a predetermined point and remains there until the space interval between the vise and the chuck is of a preselected length greater than the desired length of the cylindrical brush. The vise then is elevated, its jaws seize the core wires and the vise begins a rightward pull on the core wires at constant velocity. To be out of the way of the bristles meanwhile, the fork 467 stays elevated and the cutter blades remain lowered.

In stage 4, with the cutter blades 481, 483 open and lowered out of the Way, and the vise jaws 577 closed and pulling the core wires rightward at constant velocity, the fork 467 comes down and straddles the core wires. The chuck jaws remain closed. The chuck continues its rightward motion riding with its carriage which is pushed rightward by a piston 241 actuated by an air cylinder 309 mounted on the chuck carriage and pushing as at 243 against the vise carriage. At this time the chuck carriage is idling relative to the chain 17S. Twisting action by the chuck begins while chuck and vise are moving rightward. The twisting action by the chuck upon the core wires tends to shorten the distance between vise and chuck and is overcome partially by the pressure upon the piston rod 241 from the air cylinder 309 mounted on the chuck carriage, said rod pressing against the vise carriage as at 243. This piston and air cylinder` act like a compression spring interposed between the chuck carriage and the vise carriage. The piston 241 is extended only when the chuck is twisting the wires, and is retracted except when twisting so as to pull the wires out while they are being twisted. For this purpose the air cylinder 309 is double acting.

In stage 5, the vise is pulling the core wires to the right at constant velocity. The chuck is twisting the core wires to form the cylindrical brush while the chuck carriage is being pushed to the right at constant velocity by a piston and air cylinder arrangement mounted on the vise carriage. The fork remains down, holding the core Wires leftward of the fork in even superimposed position. The chuck takes a preselected number of turns, as governed by a counter arrangement.

This leads into the next step, stage l.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, vise means to releasably grip the wires, means to support said vise means for forward and rearward sliding movement parallel to the wires, a chuck having means to releasably grip the wires, means to support said chuck for rotation and for forward and rearward sliding movement parallel to said wires, means to slidably move the vise means in wire gripping condition, forwardly, and to simultaneously move the chuck forwardly in wire gripping condition and rotate the chuck whereby to twist the wires, means to cut the wires adjacent the forwardly moved vise means, means to release the chuck and move the chuck further forwardly to a position clearing the released wires, means to slidably move the vise means further forwardly and the chuck rearwardly toward the vise means until they substantially meet, means to cause the vise means to release the IWires and to cause the chuck to grip the wires at said meeting position, and means to move the vise in open position back to its starting point, and to again move the chuck forwardly without rotating to pull the wires, and

means to again cause the vise to grip the wires at its start-'1 ing position.

2. In combination; means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires at a deposit station, vise means gripping the ends of said wires at a station in advance of said deposit station, means to open said vice means at said advance station, a rotary slidable chuck gripping said wire ends at said advance station, means to move said open vise means back to an initial station, and means to simultaneously advance said chuck beyond said advance station to a pull-out station, thereby pulling the wires therewith, Vmeans to close said vise means at said initial station, means to advance said closed vise means to an intermediate station, short of said advance station, and to simultaneously advance said chuck from the pull-out station to a full twist station, means to rotate said chuck while it moves from said pull-out station to said full twist station, to twist said wires with bristles between the twisting wires to form a brush, means to open the chuck at said full twist station to release the wire ends, means to advance said chuck clear of said lwire ends, means to cut said wires at said intermediate station just ahead of the closed vise means to permit the brush to drop by gravity, means to advance said closed vise means from said intermediate station -to said advance station, and 4means to simultaneously move said chuck back from said clearing position to said advance station with the chuck open, and means to close the chuck to grip the wire ends at said advance station.

3. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, vise means releasably gripping the wires, chuck means releasably gripping the wires, means to advance the vise means and the chuck means simultaneously in the same direction while both said means are gripping said wires, means to rotate the chuck means while it is being advanced, means to release the chuck means from the wires, means to advance the vise means in said direction while gripping the wires, and retract the chuck means simultaneously in the opposite direction, while released from the wires so that they move toward each other, means to release the vise means and cause the chuck means to grip the wires, and means to retract the released vise means in said opposite direction and advance the gripping chuck means in the first direction simultaneously so that they move away from each other.

4. The combination of claim 3, and means movable forwardly and rearwardly with the vise means for cutting the wires.

5. The combination of claim 4, and fork means movable forwardly and rearwardly with the vise means to engage said wires to keep them from twisting.

6. The combination of claim 5, in combination with means to raise and lower said fork means.

7. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, vise means gripping the wires, means to move the vise means forwardly while gripping the wires, chuck means, means to move the chuck means in the wire releasing condition rearwardly toward the vise means as the vise means is moved forwardly, means to cause the chuck means to grip the wires after said chuck is retracted, means to release the vise means from gripping the wires after the vise is advanced, means for retracting the vise means in released position, and means for advancing the chuck means in gripping position, while the vise means is being retracted, and means for rotating the chuck means.

8. The combination of claim 7, and means for advancing the chuck means while said chuck means is being rotated and said vise means is being advanced.

9. In combination, a pin wheel, means to rotate the pin wheel continuously, an oscillator picker formed with a notch, means to oscillate said picker, means to supply bristles to the picker so that the bristles are deposited in the notch each time the picker is oscillated and carried to the pin wheel, means for feeding a pair of closely spaced parallel wires to the pin wheel so that bristles are deposited by the pin wheel between the wires, vise means to grip the wires, and means to advance and retract the vise means, a rotary chuck having means to grip the wires, and means to advance and retract the chuck selectively as the vise means is advanced and as the vise means is retracted, and means to rotate the chuck while the chuck is being advanced simultaneously with the vise means.

10. The combination of claim 9, and means to periodically stop the oscillation of the picker while the pin wheel continues to rotate.

11. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, rails, a pair of spaced carriages slidably mounted on the rails for reciprocation, a vise on one carriage, a cutting means on said carriage, a chuck rotatably and slidably mounted on the other carriage, means to move said carriages in the same direction, means to move the carriages in opposite directions away from each other, and in opposite directions toward each other, said vise having means to releasably grip said wires, and said chuck having means to releasably grip the wires, and means to cause rotation of said chuck.

12. The combination of claim 11, and means to control the operation of the cutting means on the rst carriage.

13. The combination of claim 12, and means to bias said carriages apart.

14. The combination of claim 11, and means to stop rotation of the chuck at a predetermined angular position.

15. The combination of claim 11, and a fork mounted on the rst carriage, and means to cause the fork to engage said wires to prevent twisting thereof at the point of engagement.

16. The combination of claim 11, in combination with means to cause sliding movement of said chuck relative to said second carriage.

17. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of parallel wires, rail means, a rst carriage slidably mounted on the rail means, a second carriage slidably mounted on the rail means, vise means on the rst carriage having means releasably gripping the wires, a chuck rotatably mounted on the second carriage and having means to releasably grip said wires, means to rotate said chuck, a pair of rotary sprocket wheels, a sprocket chain belt around said wheels, said sprocket chain belt having upper and lower runs parallel to said rail means, a xed rack parallel to said rail means, a sprocket wheel rotatably mounted on each of the two carriages and engaging the upper run of said belt, a sprocket wheel rotatably mounted on each of said two carriages and engaging the lower run of said belt, clutch means for fixing the sprocket wheels on said carriages which engage the upper run of said belt against rotation, gears rotatably mounted on said carriages coaXially with the sprocket wheels on said carriages which engage the lower run of said belt, and meshing with said rack, and clutch means for clutching the sprocket wheels which engage the lower run of said belt to the gears coaxial therewith, and means to cause movement of said belt.

18. The combination of claim 17, and means to cause sliding movement of the chuck relative to said second carriage.

19. The combination of claim 17, and means to open and close the chuck.

20. The combination of claim 18, and cutting means on said trst carriage for cutting said wires.

21. The combination of claim 17, the gears coaxial with the sprocket wheels which engage the lower run of said belt, being of greater diameter than said sprocket wheels.

22. In a brush making machine, means to continuously feed a pair of parallel wires forwardly in closely spaced relation, means to deposit bristles between selected predetermined spaced lengths of the wires as said wires are fed, means to twist selected portions of the wires having bristles deposited medially between the ends of selected portions only, leaving the ends of said selected portions on opposite sides of the deposited bristles without bristles, and means for cutting off said selected twisted portions of said wires to form brushes.

23. In a brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of wires, vise means to releasably grip the wires, chuck means to releasably grip the wires, means to advance the vise means while it is gripping the wires and simultaneously retract the chuck means toward the vise means while it is released from the wires, means to retract the vise means while it is released from the wires and simultaneously advance the chuck means, means movable with the vise means to cut the wires, and means to rotate said chuck means while it is being advanced.

24. The combination of claim 23, and fork means engageable with the wires to prevent the wires from twisting at the place of engagement.

25. In combination, a wheel, means to rotate the wheel continuously, means to feed a pair of wires to said wheel, means to transfer bristles from a supply thereof to said wheel for deposit between said wires, vise means to releasably grip the wires, means to advance the vise means to pull the wires, chuck means having means to releasably grip the wires to pull said wires, and means to cause relative movement of said vise means and chuck means toward and away from each other, means movable with said chuck means to cut said wires, and means to rotate said chuck means.

26. The combination of claim 25, and means to stop the operation of the transfer means while permitting said wheel to rotate.

27. In combination, means to apply brush elements between intermediate portions of a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, vise means to releasably grip the wires beyond said deposited elements, means to advance the vise gripping means longitudinally to pull the wires, chuck means to releasably grip the wires beyond said deposited elements, means to advance the chuck gripping means longitudinally to pull the wires which were advanced by the gripping vise means, means to release the vise means to permit the wires to be pulled by the chuck means, means while being advanced to rotate the gripping chuck means for twisting the wires, and meansA movable with the vise means for cutting the wires adjacent the vise means.

28. The combination of claim 27, in combination with means movable longitudinally with the vise means for preventing twisting of the wires at a point adjacent to, but spaced from the vise means.

29. In a brush making machine, means to continuously feed a pair of parallel wires forwardly in closely spaced relation, means to periodically deposit bristles between selected predetermined spaced lengths only of the wires as the wires are continuously fed, means to twist selected portions and wires including portions which have bristles deposited between them and portions which do not have bristles deposited 4between them, and means for cutting off said selected twisted portions of said wires to form brushes.

30. In a -brush making machine, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced parallel wires, vise means to releasably grip the wires, chuck means to releasably grip the wires, means to advance the vise means and the chuck means simultaneously, means to rotate the chuck means while it is being advanced, means to advance the vise means and retract the chuck means simultaneously so that they move toward each other, and means to retract the vise means and advance the chuck 17 18 means simultaneously so that they move away from each References Cited in the file of this patent other, and means movable forwardly and rearwardly UNITED STATES PATENTS with the vise means for cutting the Wires. 

